Bachelor of Arts (BSW) in Social Work
Evidence-based interventions with an abused child. Helping a homeless family find resources. Empowering an elderly patient to plan his post-hospital care. Assessing and treatment planning with a teen mother. Writing a grant to expand services for a community center. These are just some of the rewarding, rich, and varied services you can perform as a social worker.
A bachelor’s degree in Social Work is your first step to becoming a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). You’ll be taught by faculty who are actively engaged in practice, volunteer work, and research in their major fields.
You’ll also get to experience fieldwork early, gaining experience from three field placements throughout your college experience in both urban and rural settings. MVNU also offers opportunities for international field practicum experience.
Coursework includes important exposure to diverse population groups such as a growing Latinx community, urban youth, and families. You may have the opportunity to participate in a one-on-one independent study with faculty, so that you can delve into the issues and areas of interest that you are most passionate about.
This program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master's social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Accreditation applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. Review our program's accredited status in CSWE's Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE's Department of Social Work Accreditation.
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BSW Program Mission Statement
The Mount Vernon Nazarene University Bachelors of Social Work Program is dedicated to equipping competent generalist social work practitioners who are culturally humble, uphold the values and ethics of the social work profession, engage in on-going scientific inquiry in order to serve all levels of need, seek to empower those they serve and promote human rights and justice at the local, national, and global level.
Accredited Curriculum
See the full course load of an MVNU Social Work major and get ready to dig deeper as you discover how to make helping people your profession.
Faith & learning at MVNU
At MVNU, our Christian faith is at the core of everything we do. Whether it’s opening class with prayer, diving into Scripture, or examining real-world moral and ethical challenges, we’re committed to shaping students who live out their faith with purpose. Here, you won’t just learn — you’ll be transformed.
Travel
Our travel and study afar programs are more than just an opportunity to see the world — they’re a chance to grow in your faith while experiencing new cultures. Whether you’re serving in communities across the U.S. or learning abroad, each journey is designed to broaden your perspective, deepen your compassion, and equip you to live out your callings in a global context — all while adding valuable experience to your résumé.
Scholarships for Social Work Majors
MVNU has many endowed scholarships available for students of a wide variety of backgrounds and majors.
Social Work facts & figures
$50,390
Median Annual Salary
+9%
Job Growth
74,700
New Job Openings Per Year
Careers in Social Work
Many Social Work graduates go on to continue their education at prestigious institutions. Most of these students are able to complete an accelerated program where they obtain their Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1 year. Most MVNU Social Work students are able to pass the Licensed Social Work exam on their first attempt. MVNU Social Work graduates have built thriving careers in Nursing Homes, Foster Care Agencies, Children Services, Community Mental Health, Hospice, and more.
Explore more careers in social work.
CASE MANAGERS
Walk with individuals and families in need of ongoing support.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS
Help people heal from trauma and address mental health concerns.
CHILD WELFARE
Advocate for innocent children in need of protection, guardianship, and more.
ADDICTION SPECIALISTS
Help people enter into and walk through Christ-centered recovery.
SHELTER SUPERVISORS
Create and maintain safe spaces for those in need of temporary housing.
NONPROFIT LEADERS
Lead a humanitarian or non-profit organization with wisdom and compassion.
GERIATRIC CARE SPECIALISTS
Advocate for and ensure proper care of elderly patients and community residents.
Meet the Faculty
Learn from faculty members who know how to balance theory and practical application for a relevant, empowering, Christ-centered learning experience.
Earn more field experience at MVNU
MVNU requires almost 20% more hours of field experience than the average university. It is rare for other universities to have freshman field experience, but we do because we know it’s vital in determining if social work is the right career path for you.
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Christian Ministry
Provide pastoral care and leadership in a wide variety of organizational settings and ministry positions.